For around 7.4 million people in Austria, vaccination will be compulsory from the beginning of February, that is 83 percent of the population.
Affected: In principle, all persons over the age of 18 who have their main or secondary residence in Austria. You must have a immunization status that includes all immunizations as determined by regulation from the Minister of Health (recommended by the National Immunization Board). Currently, this would include both the first and second vaccination as well as the “booster”. The interval between immunizations must also be specified by regulation.
- ZIB 1: Government announces compulsory vaccination regulations
Exceptions: In addition to children and young people under the age of 18, pregnant women and people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons are exempt from the obligation to vaccinate. The reason must be confirmed by means of medical certificates and entered in the central vaccination register. Official doctors and epidemic doctors or technically suitable outpatient clinics or hospitals are entitled to do so. The exemption is valid until the end of the month following the end of the reason for the exemption. There are also exceptions for those who have recovered for 180 days after a positive test.
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Draft legislation on compulsory vaccination
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phases: The vaccination requirement will be introduced in three phases. From the beginning of February every household will be informed in writing, but there are no sanctions yet. From March 16, compulsory vaccination will become a control offence. The executive will check the vaccination status, analogous to traffic controls. All unvaccinated people will be written to again on a “reminder date” to be determined by regulation. In phase three, if it is “epidemiologically necessary”, a vaccination date is set and the unvaccinated are given vaccination appointments. There should also be automated penalties for unvaccinated people. As reported, this would not be possible before April anyway, because ELGA GmbH still has to create the technical prerequisites.
- ZIB 1: Hans Bürger and Günther Mayr comment on the draft of the mandatory vaccination law
Punish: The range of penalties is between 600 euros (“shortened procedure”) and 3600 euros (“regular procedure”). Each person may be fined a maximum of four times per year. If you get vaccinated within two weeks of the decision, the penalty does not apply. There will be no substitute imprisonment. According to the Ministry of Health, however, the amount should be seized if it is not paid. Yesterday, the government countered fears that the authorities and courts would be overwhelmed by the enormous number of appeals: the resources needed would be available. There are also penalties for doctors who issue a false exceptional certificate: up to 7,200 euros.
Source: Nachrichten
